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Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

19th August 2015 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

Migration: Turkey’s hospitality, UK’s efforts and strengthening our cooperation

Every day I am stuck by the tragic events unfolding in the Mediterranean, with migrants from a host of nationalities risking their lives trying to enter the EU. Many of these people, especially those using the Eastern Mediterranean route, leave their homes, often in fear of their lives, usually fleeing conflict in their own country […]

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20th April 2015 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

We will remember them

Later this month we will all commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Canakkale or Gallipoli campaign. It will be a magnificent occasion with many heads of state from around the world attending at President Erdogan’s invitation.  HRH The Prince of Wales will represent HM The Queen and he will be accompanied by HRH Prince Harry and […]

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20th March 2015 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

Love is a human right

Valuing diversity, which includes diversity of sexual preference, brings enormous benefits. Clearly people who are able to bring the whole of themselves to work or to social life, including their sexual identity, are likely to be able to be more productive and constructive. However, research from the UK and elsewhere suggests that it is still […]

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9th March 2015 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

Cyprus: a time for fresh thinking?

I’d like to congratulate Cyprus Academic Dialogue and USAK on the conference “Turkey and Cyprus Regional Peace & Stability” last weekend, at which Mr George Papandreou and Mr Hikmet Çetin spoke.  It was fascinating and inspiring to hear Mr Papandreou describe how Greece and Turkey were able, in the late 1990s, to rise above the […]

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20th November 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

As G20 President, Turkey has an unparalleled opportunity

2015 will be a big year for the United Kingdom in Turkey. Our countries will stand together in Canakkale in April to mark the sacrifice our troops made when we were enemies on the battlefield one hundred years ago. As Allies today, our troops have served alongside each other in NATO missions around the world. […]

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20th October 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

Need for a large-scale and inclusive fight against ISIL

On 26 September 2014, the British Parliament voted in favour of British military strikes in Iraq targeted at ISIL. This decision followed a request to the UN Security Council by the Government of Iraq for support in confronting the ISIL menace. This means that we and other states have a clear basis in international law […]

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8th October 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

After the NATO Summit

The UK was extremely proud to host world leaders at the NATO Summit on 4-5 September.  The people of Newport were delighted to welcome the world to Wales to showcase their beautiful country. This was a moment when the UK, Turkey and 26 other NATO Allies could come together and show that we were united. […]

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12th June 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

Now it is #TimeToAct

The use of sexual violence in war is one of the great injustices of our lifetime.  It is hard to document, let alone investigate.  Perpetrators do not discriminate, because it’s not about sex, but violence, terror, power and control.  When rape is committed during conflict, it has often been seen as an inevitable part of […]

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27th May 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

We share Turkey’s sorrow

I was in the UK last week, attending the annual Leadership Conference of British diplomatic Heads of Mission, when news of the Soma mining accident broke. It was clear at once that this was a serious incident and the news quickly got gloomier and gloomier.  We now know that 301 miners lost their lives.  In […]

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9th May 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

We cannot ignore and stand-by illegal annexation of Crimea

In less than three weeks’ time, the people of Ukraine go to the polls in Presidential elections that will determine the future direction of their country. According to reputable polling organisations, over 80 percent of Ukrainians said they will vote on 25 May. Preparations for elections are going ahead despite attempts to destabilise, disrupt and […]

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